Jamie O'Hara has suggested Roberto De Zerbi is wrong about Cristian Romero, with the captain letting Tottenham Hotspur down on numerous occasions this season.
Romero set to play no part in Tottenham's survival bid
After Mohammed Kudus was ruled out with an injury setback not long after De Zerbi's arrival, the manager was handed a fresh blow in his first match in charge, with Romero set to miss the remainder of the campaign, and possibly the World Cup, after colliding with Antonin Kinsky against Sunderland.
The Italian's primary objective is to keep Spurs in the Premier League, and he claimed the Argentinian would be key to the survival bid, saying: "I think Cuti is crucial for us, crucial for Tottenham as a club. He is the captain, he is maybe the most important player in our squad, and to achieve our goal, we need the best of Romero."
However, O'Hara clearly doesn't echo those thoughts, with the former midfielder recently suggesting Kevin Danso may be a better option for De Zerbi in the six remaining Premier League games, given that Romero, who cost the Lilywhites £42m, simply cannot be trusted.
The ex-Spurs man said: "Romero's been a liability this season, he really has, and I love Romero I think he's a really good player. You put him in Atletico Madrid's team and you've got a world-class centre-half. In Tottenham's team though he's a liability. He is a liability and I think Danso's actually a bit more of a safer bet right now. "
Romero facing heavy criticism after Sunderland defeat
Tottenham's 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light leaves them two points adrift from safety, so it is perhaps unsurprising their club captain has faced a barrage of criticism from the media.
Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood warned De Zerbi the 27-year-old cannot be trusted in the wake of the loss in the North East, whereas Simon Jordan went on an explosive rant about what the centre-back has said in the media.
Henry Winter has also taken aim at the Argentina international for the number of yellow and red cards he picks up, saying: "He's 27, yet lacks discipline too often. Romero, Romero, where art thou, Romero? In the stands, probably. Suspended for 6 games this season after being sent off twice (+ 12 yellows). That’s not being a leader. That’s not a captain representing a famous club properly."
With Romero set to miss the final six games of the season, it is over to Danso to stand up and be counted.